Abstract: An electrical connector having an electrically non-conductive carrier, the carrier having a plurality of contact pin mounting holes extending there through. Each hole has a square cross-section. An electrically conductive contact pin is passed through each hole. A retainer is provided on the pin separating a leading pin section from a trailing pin section. The trailing pin section has a length slightly longer than the length of the hole and a diameter slightly less than the width of the hole. The retainer and the contact head both have a diameter at least slightly greater than the width of the hole to retain the pin in the hole. An electrical contact pin for use with such a multi-pin electrical connector, a method of inserting such contact pin may be provided.

Abstract: An electrical component having an insulating housing with the housing having a bottom mounting surface and at least one anchor element receiving aperture extending up into the housing from the bottom surface of the housing. An anchor element, having a bottom end, is shaped and sized to be inserted into the aperture from the bottom of the housing, the element frictionally held by the housing in the aperture with the element projecting slightly from the aperture to have its bottom end spaced slightly from the bottom surface of the housing. A method of assembling the electrical component having a housing with a bottom surface and an aperture for receiving an anchor element extending up into the housing from the bottom surface. The anchor element has at least a portion that is sized and shaped to frictionally engage the housing while in the aperture.

Abstract: A novel electrical connection device for surface-mounting on a circuit board. The electrical connection device includes at least two terminal members. Each terminal member includes a retaining surface serving as a point of electrical contact between the terminal member and the circuit board and as a point of solder-anchoring for securely mounting the electrical connection device to the PCB. Further, each terminal member includes a contact portion providing for the mounting of an electrical component onto the circuit board, as well as serving as a point of electrical contact between the circuit board and the electrical component. The terminal members are mounted on a strip of insulating material that holds them in the proper spacial relationship until they have been secured to the circuit board. The strip reduces pin-misalignment that can cause difficulties in engaging a mating electrical component on the electrical connection device.

Abstract: A novel surface-mount electrical component for mounting on a circuit board. The electrical component includes at least one pin and a retaining surface. The pin serves as both a point of electrical contact between the electrical component and the circuit board and as a solder-anchoring point. The retaining surface is remote from the pin and serves as an additional solder-anchoring point for restricting the movement of the electrical component on the circuit board. Both the pin and the retaining surface are coplanar, ensuring even soldering of the electrical component to the circuit board.